Acoustical devices



y 1962 w. w. HAERTHER, JR 3,032,138

ACOUSTICAL DEVICES Filed NOV. 25, 1957 I Z 111111111. if]

j! 2 F155 W ll/III]!!! INVENTOR. M2114? MHaerr/ze fir 3,032,138 ACOUSTICAL DEVICES William W. Haerther, Jr., Geneva, 111., assignor to Hawley Products Company, St. Charles, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 25, 1957, Ser. No. 698,468 Claims. (Cl. 181-32) This invention relates in general to acoustical devices and, more particularly, to improved types of sound reproducing diaphragms.

There are instances when it is desirable that diaphragms used in speakers be triangular in shape such as, for example, when it is desired to afford a triangular-shaped speaker for mounting in a corner, or the like. However, triangular-shaped diaphragms have been heretofore considered in the art as commonly having inherent disadvantages such as, for example, poor excursion; poor sound reproducing or producing characteristics; tending to crack or break out at the corners, or the like. It is a primary object of this invention to enable such disadvantages of triangular-shaped diaphragms to be eliminated.

Another object is to enable a novel triangular-shaped diaphragm to be provided which is capable of reproducing both high and low frequency notes, corresponding in intensity, timbre, mellowness and other qualities, with the originally produced sound waves.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel triangular-shaped sound reproducer or producer which will have a substantially even response curve, Where all sounds of the audible range will be produced or reproduced with substantially equal efficiency.

Yet another object is to enable a novel triangularshaped diaphragm to be constructed in such a manner that the vibratile portion thereof has good excursion.

Another object of this invention is to eliminate the cracking or breaking out of the corners of triangularshaped diaphragms and to increase the useful life of such diaphragms.

A further object is to provide a novel triangular-shaped sound reproducing diaphragm which is thin and light in weight.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following description and claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show the preferred embodiments of the present invention and the principles thereof, and what I now consider to be the best modes in which I have contemplated applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a rear elevational view of a diaphragm embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectinoal view taken substantially along the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of a modified form of diaphragm;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail segmental top plan view of one corner of the diaphragm shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a detail segmental top plan view similar to FIG. 5, but showing a modified form of corner structure;

FIG. 7 is a detail sectional view taken substantially along the line 77 in FIG. 5 and showing the outer edge portion of the diaphragm shown in FIG. 1; and

States Patent 0 M 3,032,138 Patented May 1, 1962 FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but showing a modified form of the edge portion shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is another view similar to FIG. 7, but showing another modified form of edge portion;

FIG. 10 is another view similar to FIG. 7, but showing another modified form of edge portion, and

FIG. 11 is another view similar to FIG. 7, but showing another modified form of edge portion.

A diaphragm 1, embodying the principles of the present invention, is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings to illustrate one for m of diaphragm contemplated by the present invention.

In general, the diaphragm 1 embodies a concave vibratile portion 2 connected by an undulated portion 3 to a mounting strip in the form of flange or rim 4, adapted to be clamped between supporting braces, or the like, of

V a speaker, not shown.

As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the vibratile portion 2 is of a convex-rearwardly shape, flaring forwardly and laterally outwardly from a tubular-shaped nipple or apical portion 5 to a substantially triangular-shaped base 6. The base 6 is in the form of an equilateral triangle, and the sides 7, 8 and 9 of the vibratile portion 2 are also equilateral triangles, the lateral edges of each of the sides 7-? engaging respective adjacent edges of each of the other two of such sides.

Each of the sides 7-9 is somewhat concave-rearwardly in shape, gradually curving upwardly from the base 6 to the tubular-shaped apical portion 5. A plurality of inwardly projecting ribs 10 are integrally formed in each of the sides 7-9, and extend horizontally thereacross in parallel spaced relation to each other, FIG. 2.

The rim 4 of the diaphragm 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is constructed of three separate strips 11, 12 and 13 of suitable sheet material such as, for example, cloth impregnated with a suitable phenol formaldehyde resin and heat set in the desired shape. Each of the strips 1113 embodies a longitudinally extending inverse trough-shaped undulated portion 3, from the outer edge portion of which extends an outer flange 14, and from the inner edge portion of which extends an inner flange 15, FIG. 2. Each of the strips 11-13 is secured to a respective basal side of the base 6 of the vibratile portion 2, comprising the outer edge portion of the sides 7-9, respectively. The inner flange 15 of each strip 11-13 affords a gluing strip which is mounted on the upper face of the outer edge portion of each of the sides 7-9, respectively, and is secured thereto by any suitable means, such as glue or a suitable plastic. The outer longitudinal edges of the base 6 of the vibratile portion 2 preferably terminate at the inner edge of the undulated portion 3 of each of the respective strips 11-13. The ends of the strips 11-13 are cut at such an angle relative to the length of the strips that the adjacent ends of the strips 11-13 at each of the corners of the base 6 are spaced from each other and flare outwardly from each other at an angle of approximately ten degrees.

The vibratile portion 2 of the diaphragm 1 is preferably of one-piece construction and may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, accreted fibrous material. In the formation of the vibratile portion 2, the tubular-shaped nipple 5 is normally formed with a cap portion 16 closing the rear end thereof, and this portion may be clipped or otherwise removed therefrom prior to mounting the diaphragm 1 in a suitable speaker, or the like. The nipple 5 is designed for the attachment thereto of a band carrying a voice coil adapted to operate in the conventional manner of a dynamic loud speaker.

It will be remembered that, heretofore, it has been commonly considered that triangular-shaped diaphragms had inherent disadvantages such as, for example, cracking 3 or breaking out at the corners; not affording good sound reproducing characteristics; not having good excursion, or the like. With the present invention, these disadvantages are overcome and a practical and eflective triangular-shaped speaker is afforded. The shape and construction of the vibratile portion 2 is such that it tends to vibrate as a unit. This is afforded, in part, by the generally convex-rearwardly shape of the vibratile portion 2 combined with the concave-forwardly shape of the in dividual sides 7-9, together with the reinforcing afforded by the parallel horizontally extending ribs 10 on the inner faces of the sides 7-9. Also, however, the construction and arrangement of the flange 4 on the vibratile portion 2 plays an important part in enabling the diaphragm 1 to afford a novel and practical triangular-shaped diaphragm. The flange 4 constitutes a flexible, pliable, or supple mounting for the vibratile portion 2, and the openings 17 in the flange 4, outwardly of each of the respective corners of the base 6 ofthe vibratile portion 2, in the planes bisecting the respective corners, FIG. 1, enable the vibratile portion 2 to vibrate as a unit, and without breaking out or cracking the corners of the diaphragm 1'. As is discussed in my copending application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 698,467, filed November 25, 1957, now Patent No. 2,962,109, in connection with the broader aspects of constructing diaphragms having relieved corner portions, it is presently believed that in order to afford the most effective excursion for the vibratile portion 2, and to afford the best protection against cracking or breaking out of the corners of the diaphrgam 1, the relieved portions, such as the openings 17 in the flange 4, should extend through at least the outer edge portion of the undulated portion 3.

.With the diaphragm 1 constructed in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an effective and practical triangularshaped diaphragm having good sound reproducing char acteristics may be afforded.

In the modified form of the diaphragm shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a diaphragm 18 is afforded which is constructed in the same manner as the diaphragm 1, except that the sides 19, 2t) and 21. of the vibratile portion 22 are so shaped and disposed relative to each other that the base 24 of the vibratile portion 22 is in the form of a right angle triangle, with the sides 19 and 21 disposed at right angles to each other, and the sides 19 and 21 being disposed at forty-five degree angles to the side 20. With this construction, the side 20 is somewhat longer, and, therefore, larger than the sides 19 and 21. Like the diaphragm 1, the diaphragm 18 embodies an outer flange or rim 4 constructed of three separate strips 11, 12 and 13, and the sides 19-21 of the vibratile portion 22 embody horizontally extending parallel ribs 10.

By following the principles of my novel invention, even practical and effective triangular-shaped diaphragms such as the diaphragm 18 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, wherein the sides thereof are of unequal size and are disposed at different angles to each other, may be constructed which afford good sound reproducing characteristics.

In the modified form of the invention shown in FIG. 6, the only difference from the form of the invention shown in FIG. 1 is that the flange 25' mounted on the vibratile portion 2 is of a one-piece triangular-shaped construction, the open corners 17 shown in FIG. 1 being eliminated and the only openings at the corners of the flange 25 being openings 26 formed through the undulated portion 3 outwardly of each corner of the base 6 of the vibratile portion 2, the openings 26 terminating at their outer edges in spaced relation to the outer edge of the flange 25. Such construction affords openings in the undulated portion 3 directly outwardly of each of the corners of the vibratile portion, in the planes bisecting each of the respective corners, and with a diaphragm constructed in the manner shown in FIG. 6 the vibratile portion 2 tends to vibrate as a unit to afford good sound reproduction characteristics,

and the tendency of such diaphragms to crack or break out at the corners is overcome in a practical manner.

In FIGS. 8 to 11, inclusive, of the drawings, different typical variations in supporting flange arrangement, which lend themselves to the practice of the present invention are shown by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation.

In FIGS. 8 to 11, inclusive, of the drawings, different FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 7 is shown wherein a flange 27 having a substantially flat outer edge portion 28, and an arcuateshaped inner edge portion 29 is mounted on the outer edge portion 30 of a vibratile portion 31. The outer edge portion 39 of the vibratile portion 31 is also substantially arcuate in shape, and the portions 29 and 30 are disposed in overlapping relation to each other to afford an undulated connection 32 between the vibratile portion 31 and the outer edge portion 28, which, unlike the undulated portion 2, is not limited to the supporting flange, but is embodied partially in the supporting flange and partially in the outer edge of the vibratile portion.

In FIG. 9, a vibratile portion 2 is shown connected to a flange 33 which, like the flange 4 embodies an inner edge portion 34 and an outer edge portion 35, the primary difference between the flange 4 and the flange 33 being that the portions 34 and 35 of the flange 33 are separated by a substantially inverted W -shaped undulated portion 36 rather than the single bend of the arcuate portion 3.

In FIG. 10, a vibratile portion 37 having an upwardly offset outer edge portion 38 is secured to a mounting flange 39 having an inner edge portion 46 and an outer edge portion 41 connected by an undulated portion 42, which is convex-downwardly in shape. The inner edge portion 4% of the flange 39 is attached to the outer edge portion 38 of the vibratile portion 37 in overlying juxtaposition thereto, and the inner flange 4t) and the undulated portion 42 of the flange 39 afford a substantially J-shaped member connection between the vibratile portion 37 and the outer edge portion 41 of the flange 39.

In FIG. 11, the vibratile portion 37 is shown connected to a flange 43 which is substantially Z-shaped in cross section, having an inner edge portion 44 connected to an outer edge portion 45 by an upwardly and outwardly extending intermediate portion 46, which affords the undulated portion of the flange 43. The inner edge portion 44 of the flange 43 is connected to the outer edge portion a 38 of the vibratile portion 37 in overlying juxtaposition thereto in the variation shown in FIG. 11.

It will be appreciated that in each of the variations shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, inclusive, the flanges shown therein will be relieved at the corners thereof, with openings such as, for example, the openings 17 or 26 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, respectively, extending through at least the outer edge portions of the undulated portions directly outwardly of the corners of the vibratile portion.

It will be seen that my invention affords a novel and practical triangular-shaped diaphragm.

Also, I have afforded a novel triangular-shaped diaphragm which is well protected against cracking or breaking out at the corners, and which affords good sound producing or reproducing characteristics.

Thus, while I have illustrated the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim: i

1. A concave acoustic diaphragm of substantially triangular configuration, said diaphragm including a substantially triangular-shaped vibratile portion merging at its apex into a'tubular portion, each of the basal sides of said vibratile portion having attached thereto a mounting strip and an undulatory interconnecting portion, there being a space between the adjacent ends of said mounting strips and said undulatory portions.

2. An acoustic diaphragm as defined in claim 1, and in which said spaces are disposed directly outwardly of respective ones of the corners of said vibratile portion.

3. An acoustic diaphragm as defined in claim 2, and in which each of said basal sides is disposed at a sixty degree angle to each adjacent other one of said basal sides.

4. An acoustic diaphragm as defined in claim 2, and in which two of said basal sides are disposed at a ninety degree angle to each other and at a forty-five degree angle to the other one of said basal sides.

5. An acoustic diaphragm as defined in claim 2, and in which said vibratile portion curves gradually outwardly from said tubular portion to said basal sides, and in which said vibratile portion includes elongated ribs disposed in inwardly spaced substantially parallel relation to respective ones of said basal sides.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,930,328 Tichenor et a1. Oct. 10, 1933 2,107,757 Kinsley Feb. 8, 1938 2,439,665 Marquis Apr. 13, 1948 2,685,935 Lenz Aug. 10, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 249,062 Great Britain Apr. 15, 1926 1,004,232 Germany Mar. 14, 1957 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,032,138 May 1 1962 William W. Haer'ther Jr It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4 line 8, for "In FIGS. 8 to 11, inclusive, of the drawings different" read In FIGI 8, a variation of the flange support shown in Signed and sealed this 18th day of September 1962.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

